India pre-launches web portal for ITEC programme with Nepal

Kathmandu: India has pre-launched a web portal for the approval of its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme by granting a scholarship to a Nepalese candidate for a two month internship programme.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday approved an online candidature of Nepalese candidate Gopal Sigdel for a two month Parliamentary Internship Programme from November 10 under the ITEC.

The online approval was issued on the spot by Ambassador of India to Nepal Ranjit Rae and was handed over to Sigdel by video conferencing from New Delhi.

The launch of the web portal marks the 50 years of commencement of the ITEC programme.

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted on September 15, 1964 by a decision of the Indian cabinet for the development of relationship with other developing nations on the basis of partnership and cooperation for mutual benefit.

India acknowledging its close friendly relations with Nepal chose it as the first country to pre-launch its ITEC web portal on October 21, 2014, a statement by Embassy of India said.

Under the ITEC and its sister programme the SCAAP (Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa Programme) and the Technical Cooperation Scheme of Colombo Plan, more than 160 countries are invited to share India's development experience acquired over the past six decades of her existence as a free nation.

As per the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Nepal in August, to increase the slots, the number of such scholarships has been increased from 180 to 250.

Till date 1270 Nepalese candidates have received the benefit of the ITEC/Colombo Plan Scheme of Government of India.